Category: Walk Audit

Springfield Schools Walk Audits

Between April, 2013 – June, 2016 WalkBoston conducted 6 walk audits of elementary and community schools in Springfield, Massachusetts to assess the safety and walkability of the areas surrounding the schools. Read those walk audits here:

WalkBoston-BolandElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-DormanElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-EliasBrookingsElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-GermanGerenaCommunitySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-LincolnElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-MiltonBradleyElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Assessments Dennis

Dennis is one of 18 communities participating in the MassDOT multi-disciplined program to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety in Massachusetts. One of the components of the MassDOT program is to conduct walk and bike assessments that identify infrastructure challenges to biking and walking, and recommend short- and long-term improvements. These assessments are also a means of building local knowledge of the importance of well-designed bicycle and pedestrian facilities. WalkBoston and MassBike conducted assessments along Route 6A between Old Bass River Road and Nobscusset Road, and at three Cape Cod Rail Trail road crossings near the South Gages/Great Western Road intersection.

Read the full report here:
WalkBoston-Bicycle&PedestrianInfrastructureAssessment-Dennis

Downtown Cultural District Walk Assessment Springfield

Springfield Massachusetts is a city of approximately 153,000 people located about 90 miles west of Boston. The third largest city in the Commonwealth, Springfield is the cultural and commercial center of the Pioneer Valley.

This walk assessment occurred in the Metro Center neighborhood of Springfield, which has been called the business, government, and cultural center of the city. Bounded by Route 291 to the north, Union and Howard Streets to the south, Federal Street to the east and the Connecticut River to the west, Metro Center is home to historic residential streets, high-rise apartment and office buildings, and a downtown retail district. The neighborhood contains several cultural institutions, including the Springfield Armory, Symphony Hall, and the Quadrangle, which houses several world-class museums and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.

Read the full report here:
WalkBoston-DowntownCulturalDistrictWalkAssessment-Springfield

School Street Walk Audit Manchester By the Sea

School Street connects Route 128 to Route 127, Manchester’s “Main Street,” and because it is one of the town’s connecting streets it carries fairly heavy traffic traveling at speeds that make walking uncomfortable. Pedestrians crossing the street feel unsafe, and many of the people who attended the walk audit had stories of cars failing to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross. Because School Street provides walking access to the community’s elementary, middle and high schools there is great interest in increasing pedestrian safety along the street.

Read the full report here:
WalkBoston-School Street Safety Recommendations-ManchesterByTheSea

Taunton Walk Assessment

Taunton, founded in 1639, has a dense development pattern with narrow streets, and therefore is quite walkable. Many of the two lane streets have mature trees and flowerbeds, and several assessment attendees, including the WalkBoston team, commented on how attractive and clean the streets were, with the exception of portions of Adams Street. Hospital employees said that they were able to take a one-mile walk on their break without having to cross Broadway, a more heavily traveled street. Attendees also noted that cars were traveling at moderate speeds.

Read the full report:
WalkBoston-WalkAssessement-Taunton